Should Your CNA Recurrent Training be Completed Live Or Online?
Posted: 09.04.2015
Most states require that your CNAs renew their license every two years, but even if it’s not time for renewal—you likely require some type of recurrent training for your CNAs. There are a multitude of online training courses you can turn to for your employees’ recurrent training, but you may be wondering what the pros and cons of online training include.
Online Training and Efficiency
Online training is efficient. Training can be done from any computer with internet access, and most programs can be paused along the way. The test results for each CNA are stored electronically, making it easy to track training as well evaluate the type of additional training required. While this is certainly efficient, and a time and money saver—the training can only encompass factual data, and does not provide the opportunity for role playing or hands-on training.
The Hands-On Benefits of Live Training
So much of a CNA’s daily responsibilities are hands-on. During live training, you can role play interpersonal skills, assess skills such as proper body mechanics, and actively engage with your team. Live training is an excellent time to introduce or rollout new mobility and ADL aids, new software, or new mobile health gadgets. Meeting in person is also a great time to touch base with your CNAs as a team and brainstorm for areas of opportunity within your facility. This is the time for questions that may not get answered while on the floor. It’s also a great time to train and practice specialized skills, and do a few team-building exercises.
Benefits of Joint Training
Many senior living facilities and home health companies opt for joint recurrent training. For example, online training can be used to test factual information—and live training can be used to improve hands-on training and cover company-specific guidelines and protocols. You may also want to consider joint training for your initial training or any new product or software launches.
When deciding whether live training or online training is a better fit, consider the tenure of your staff and the average rate of turnover in your health care facility. For example, if your facility is often a stepping stone for new CNAs—then you may see a greater need for live or hands-on training than if your staff is tenured.
Online Training and Efficiency
Online training is efficient. Training can be done from any computer with internet access, and most programs can be paused along the way. The test results for each CNA are stored electronically, making it easy to track training as well evaluate the type of additional training required. While this is certainly efficient, and a time and money saver—the training can only encompass factual data, and does not provide the opportunity for role playing or hands-on training.
The Hands-On Benefits of Live Training
So much of a CNA’s daily responsibilities are hands-on. During live training, you can role play interpersonal skills, assess skills such as proper body mechanics, and actively engage with your team. Live training is an excellent time to introduce or rollout new mobility and ADL aids, new software, or new mobile health gadgets. Meeting in person is also a great time to touch base with your CNAs as a team and brainstorm for areas of opportunity within your facility. This is the time for questions that may not get answered while on the floor. It’s also a great time to train and practice specialized skills, and do a few team-building exercises.
Benefits of Joint Training
Many senior living facilities and home health companies opt for joint recurrent training. For example, online training can be used to test factual information—and live training can be used to improve hands-on training and cover company-specific guidelines and protocols. You may also want to consider joint training for your initial training or any new product or software launches.
When deciding whether live training or online training is a better fit, consider the tenure of your staff and the average rate of turnover in your health care facility. For example, if your facility is often a stepping stone for new CNAs—then you may see a greater need for live or hands-on training than if your staff is tenured.